Abstract:

Digital content management systems and methods are provided for mass
production of one or multiple digital contents. During the digital
content management, the digital contents are first composed and encrypted
to obtain encrypted digital contents. Then, the encrypted digital
contents are copied and stored to at least one storage device. Finally,
different identification data corresponding to the digital contents is
respectively offered and stored to the at least one storage device. In
this application, since the digital contents are first protected by
encryption, and then copied to the storage device, the risk of the
digital contents to be stolen or manipulated is reduced. Additionally,
since the identification data are stored to the storage device in the
last stage of the digital content management system, the efficiency of
the mass production of the digital contents is improved.

Claims:

1. A digital content management system, comprising:a management unit
composing and encrypting one or multiple digital contents to obtain the
encrypted digital contents; anda preloading obtaining the encrypted
digital contents, and storing the encrypted digital contents to at least
one storage device,wherein after the preloading unit stores the encrypted
digital contents to the storage device, the management unit stores
identification data to the storage device.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a use unit coupled with the
management unit via a network, wherein the use unit transmits the
identification data in the storage device to the management unit.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the management unit further performs an
authentication for the identification data, and when the authentication
passes, the management unit decrypts the encrypted digital contents in
the storage device to obtain the digital contents in plaintexts.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the management unit further encrypts an
application module, and the preloading unit further stores the encrypted
application module to the storage device, and when the authentication
passes, the management unit further decrypts the encrypted application
module in the storage device to obtain the application module in
plaintext.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the use unit accesses the digital
contents via the application module.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein when the application module is
decrypted, the application module bundles the digital contents and the
use unit, such that the digital contents to only be accessed in the use
unit.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the application module records first
identification data of the use unit, and before the digital contents are
accessed in an electronic device, the application module obtains second
identification data of the electronic device, determines whether the
second identification data matches with the first identification data,
and when the second identification data does not match with the first
identification data, the digital contents are not allowed to be accessed.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein when the second identification data
matches with the first identification data, the digital contents are
accessed.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the use unit comprises a mobile phone,
and the first identification data is an inner code of the mobile phone.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the storage device comprises a flash
memory.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the identification data is stored to a
hidden area of the storage device.

12. A digital content management method, comprising:composing and
encrypting one or multiple digital contents to obtain the encrypted
digital contents;storing the encrypted digital contents to at least one
storage device; andafter the encrypted digital contents are stored to the
at least one storage device, respectively storing identification data to
the at least one storage device.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising performing an
authentication for the identification data in the storage device via a
network.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising decrypting the encrypted
digital contents in the storage device to obtain the digital contents in
plaintexts when the authentication passes.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:encrypting an application
module;storing the encrypted application module to the storage device;
andwhen the authentication passes, decrypting the encrypted application
module in the storage device to obtain the application module in
plaintext.

16. The method of claim 15, further accessing the digital contents via the
application module.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising the application module
bundling the digital contents and a use unit, such that the digital
contents to only be accessed in the use unit when the application module
is decrypted.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the application module records first
identification data of the use unit, and the method comprises the steps
of:before the digital contents are accessed in an electronic device, the
application module obtaining second identification data of the electronic
device;determining whether or not the second identification data matches
with the first identification data; andwhen the second identification
data does not match with the first identification data, not allowing the
digital contents to be accessed.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising when the second
identification data matches with the first identification data, allowing
the digital contents to be accessed.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the use unit comprises a mobile phone,
and the first identification data is an inner code of the mobile phone.

22. The method of claim 12, wherein the identification data is stored to a
hidden area of the storage device.

23. A digital content management method, comprising:authenticating
identification data in a storage device via a network; andwhen the
authentication of the identification data passes, decrypting an encrypted
digital content in the storage device to obtain the digital content in
plaintexts.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the storage device further comprise an
encrypted application module, and the method further comprises a step of
when the authentication for the identification data passes, decrypting
the encrypted application module in the storage device to obtain the
application module in plaintext.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising accessed the digital
content via the application module.

26. The method of claim 24, further comprising when the application module
is obtained, the application module bundling the digital content and a
use unit, enabling the digital content to only be accessed in the use
unit.

27. A method for preloading a digital content for use in a content
processing end and a preloading end, comprising:the content processing
end composing and encrypting the digital content to obtain the encrypted
digital content;the content processing end producing a mother disc using
the encrypted digital content, and providing the mother disc to the
preloading end;the preloading end copying the content of the mother disc
to at least one preloading device, and transmitting the mother disc to
the content processing end after the content of the mother disc is copied
to the preloading device;the preloading end performing a preloading
procedure via the preloading device according to the content of the
mother disc, thus to copy the content of the mother disc to at least one
storage device;when the preloading procedure is completed, the preloading
end removing the content of the mother disc from the preloading
device;the preloading end transmitting the storage device to the content
processing end; andthe content processing end respectively storing
identification data to the storage device.

Description:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001]1. Field of the Invention

[0002]The disclosure relates generally to digital content management, and,
more particularly to systems and methods that enhance the digital rights
management for digital content, and related production methods for
digital content.

[0003]2. Description of the Related Art

[0004]With electronic devices, such as computers or portable devices,
being popular, digital content has become a major data recording type for
the devices due to increased convenience of digital content. Moreover,
content providers have been devoted to develop related applications for
digital content. Since it is easy to copy and broadcast digital content,
the DRM (Digital Rights Management) and the mass production of preloading
for digital content has become one of the major developmental areas in
the digital content management art.

[0005]In a conventional digital rights management mechanism, digital
content can be stored in a hidden area of a memory device, and an
application can be stored in a public area of the memory device.
Additionally, an activation key is produced for the memory device, and
stored in the hidden area of the memory device. Since the digital content
is in the hidden area, users will not have direct access of the digital
content. The digital content in the hidden area must be accessed via the
application using the activation key.

[0006]In another conventional digital content management system, a key and
a serial code are preloaded in a hidden area of a medium, such as a VCD,
DVD, or SD card; while digital content are DRM treated, such as
encrypted, and stored in public area of storing medium. When an end
device, such as an MP3/MP4 player, or PDA wants to access content in the
medium, it is determined whether or not the serial code is legally
authorized. If the serial code is legally authorized, the content is
decrypted using the key, and then accessed. In this manner, the
management system requires involvement and handshaking of the end device
and the content provider as only authorized end device manufacturer has
the access of the key and the serial code. Thus, the management system is
unpractical as the benefits of the two parties might not be the same.

[0007]Based on the above digital rights management mechanism, the
production method for digital content in the art is to first provide the
digital content and the application to a software processing team. The
software processing team bundles the digital content and the application,
and respectively generates an activation key for each production copy of
the digital content. Then, the digital contents, the applications, and
the corresponding activation keys are provided to a manufacturer. The
manufacturer correspondingly performs a preloading procedure for mass
production of the digital content. During the preloading procedure, the
digital contents in the respective memory devices are encrypted, and the
corresponding activation keys are respectively stored to the respective
memory devices.

[0008]It is understood that since related data (the digital content, the
application, and the corresponding activation key) is not protected when
it is provided to the manufacturer for the preloading procedure, the
related data can be easily copied or stolen, resulting in a deficiency in
the digital rights management. Additionally, since the activation keys
for the respective preloading copies of the digital content are
different, the preloading procedures for the respective preloading copies
must be performed separately, thus reducing the efficiency of the
preloading procedures.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009]Digital content management systems and methods are provided.

[0010]An embodiment of a digital content management system comprises a
management unit and a preloading unit. The management unit composes and
encrypts one or multiple digital contents to obtain encrypted digital
contents. The preloading unit obtains the encrypted digital contents, and
stores the encrypted digital contents to at least one storage device.
After the preloading unit stores the encrypted digital contents to the at
least one storage device, the management unit respectively stores
different dedicated identification data representing the digital content
to the at least one storage device.

[0011]In an embodiment of a digital content management method, one or
multiple digital contents are first composed and encrypted to obtain
encrypted digital contents. Then, the encrypted digital contents are
copied and stored to at least one storage device. After the encrypted
digital contents are stored to the at least one storage device, different
dedicated identification data representing the digital content is
respectively stored to the at least one storage device.

[0012]In an embodiment of a digital content management method,
identification data in a storage device is authenticated via a network.
When the authentication of the identification data passes, a decryption
mechanism is activated to decrypt encrypted digital content in the
storage device to obtain the complete digital content for access or use.

[0013]In an embodiment of a preloading production method for use in a
content processing end and a preloading end for mass production of the at
least one digital content, the content processing end composes and
encrypts at least one digital content to obtain the encrypted digital
content. The content processing end produces a mother disc using the
encrypted digital content, and provides the mother disc to the preloading
end. Then, the preloading end copies the content of the mother disc to
one or multiple preloading devices. After the content of the mother disc
is copied to the preloading device, the preloading end transmits the
mother disc to the content processing end. The preloading end performs a
preloading procedure via the preloading device according to the content
of the mother disc, thus to copy the content of the mother disc to the at
least one storage device. When the preloading procedure is completed, the
preloading end removes the content of the mother disc from the preloading
device, and transmits the storage device to the content processing end.
Then, the content processing end respectively stores identification data
to the storage device.

[0014]Digital content management methods may take the form of a program
code embodied in a tangible media. When the program code is loaded into
and executed by a machine, the machine becomes an apparatus for
practicing the disclosed method.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015]The invention will become more fully understood by referring to the
following detailed description with reference to the accompanying
drawings, wherein:

[0016]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a
digital content management system according to the invention;

[0017]FIG. 2 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a digital content
management method according to the invention;

[0018]FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating another embodiment of a
digital content management system according to the invention;

[0019]FIG. 4 is a flowchart of another embodiment of a digital content
management method according to the invention;

[0020]FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating further another
embodiment of a digital content management system according to the
invention; and

[0021]FIG. 6 is a flowchart of further another embodiment of a production
method for preloading digital content according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022]Digital content management systems and methods are provided.

[0023]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a
digital content management system according to the invention.

[0024]The digital content management system 100 comprises a management
unit 110 and a preloading unit 120. The management unit 110 can compose
and encrypt one or multiple digital contents (not shown) and/or an
application module (not shown). It is noted that any encryption mechanism
can be applied in the application. It is understood that, in some
embodiments, the application module can be used to access or use the
digital contents. The management unit 110 can generate different
identification data for the respective copies of the digital contents.
The preloading unit 120 can copy and store the digital contents to at
least one storage device, such as a flash memory/card. It is understood
that, in some embodiments, the management unit 110 and the preloading
unit 120 can be located in an electronic device, such as a computer
system. However, in some embodiments, the management unit 110 and the
preloading unit 120 can be respectively located in different electronic
devices.

[0025]FIG. 2 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a digital content
management method according to the invention.

[0026]First, in step S210, the management unit 110 composes and encrypts
one or multiple digital contents and/or an application module to obtain
the encrypted digital contents and/or the encrypted application module.
After the preloading unit 120 obtains the encrypted digital contents
and/or the encrypted application module, in step S220, the preloading
unit 120 copies and stores the encrypted digital contents and/or the
encrypted application module to at least one storage device. Then, in
step S230, the management unit 110 generates identification data for the
respective copies of the digital contents, and respectively stores the
identification data to the at least one storage device. It is noted that,
in some embodiments, the management unit 110 can generate the
identification data for the respective copies of the digital contents in
advance. Additionally, in some embodiments, the management unit 110
respectively stores the identification data in a hidden area of the
respective storage devices.

[0027]FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating another embodiment of a
digital content management system according to the invention.

[0028]The digital content management system 300 comprises a management
unit 310 and a use unit 320. The use unit 320 couples to the management
unit 310 via a network 330, such as a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN
(Wide Area Network), an internet, a wireless network, and/or a
telecommunication network. The use unit 320 comprises a storage device
321, such as a flash memory. The storage device 321 comprises
identification data (not shown), a digital content in cipher (not shown),
and/or an application module in cipher (not shown). In some embodiments,
the use unit 320 may be an electronic device having identification data,
such as a mobile phone. When the use unit 320 is a mobile phone, the
identification data is the inner code of the mobile phone. The management
unit 310 can receive the connection from the use unit 320 via the network
330, and perform the digital content management method of the
application. Related details are discussed followed.

[0029]FIG. 4 is a flowchart of another embodiment of a digital content
management method according to the invention.

[0030]In step S410, the use unit 320 couples to the management unit 310
via the network 330, and transmits the identification data stored in the
storage device 321 to the management unit 310. In step S420, the
management unit 310 performs an authentication according to the
identification data. It is understood that, in some embodiments, the
authentication is to determine whether or not the identification data is
a correct identification data accepted by the management unit 310, and/or
determine whether or not the identification data has been authenticated
in the management unit 310. If the authentication for the identification
data does not pass (No in step S430), the procedure is terminated. If the
authentication for the identification data passes (Yes in step S430), in
step S440, the management unit 310 decrypts the digital content in cipher
and/or the application module in cipher in the storage device to obtain
the digital content in plaintext and/or the application module in
plaintext. It is understood that any decryption mechanism can be applied
in the application. In step S450, the application module bundles the
digital content and the use unit 320, such that the digital content can
be only accessed or used in the use unit 320. It is understood that, in
some embodiments, the method to bundle the digital content and the use
unit 320 is to record the identification data of the use unit 320 in the
application module. It is noted that, in some embodiments, the
application module can be used to access or use the digital content. When
a specific device comprising the storage device wants to access or use
the digital content, the application module will first obtain the
identification data of the specific device, and determine whether or not
the identification data of the specific device conforms to the
identification data recorded in the application module. When the
identification data of the specific device conforms to the identification
data preloaded in the application module, the digital content is accessed
or used. When the identification data of the specific device does not
conform to the identification data recorded in the application module,
the digital content is not allowed to be accessed or used.

[0031]It is noted that, the embodiments in FIGS. 3 and 4 introduce the
authentication of the storage device being performed via a network. It is
understood that, any authentication manner can be applied to the storage
devices produced according to the embodiments in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the
application. For example, in some embodiments, the identification data in
the storage device can be directly authenticated on the use unit 320,
without the connection to the management unit 310 via the network.

[0032]FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating further another
embodiment of a digital content management system according to the
invention. In this embodiment, the preloading, supply, and activation of
digital content are disclosed.

[0033]As shown in FIG. 5, the digital content management system 500
comprises a content processing end 510, a preloading end 520, a plurality
of supplier ends 532 and 534, and a plurality of user ends 542 and 544.

[0034]The content processing end 510 and the preloading 520 transmits a
mother disc and storage devices via a material flow 550. FIG. 6 is a
flowchart of further another embodiment of a production method for
preloading digital content according to the invention. In step S602, the
content processing end 510 encrypts a digital content and/or an
application module, and produces a mother disc using the encrypted
digital content and/or the encrypted application module. In step S604,
the mother disc is transmitted to the preloading end 520. After receiving
the mother disc, in step S606, the preloading end 520 copies the content
of the mother disc to one or multiple preloading devices, such as copy
devices. It is understood that, after the content of the mother disc is
copied to the preloading device, the preloading end 520 transmits the
mother disc to the content processing end 510. Then, in step S608, the
preloading end 520 performs a preloading procedure using the preloading
device according to the content of the mother disc, thus to copy the
content of the mother disc to a number of storage devices, such as flash
memories. In step S610, it is determined whether or not the preloading
procedure is completed. If the preloading procedure is not completed (No
in step S610), the procedure returns to step S608. If the preloading
procedure is completed (Yes in step S610), in step S612, the content of
the mother disc is removed (deleted) from the preloading devices, and in
step S614, the storage devices with the content (the digital content
and/or the application module) of the mother disc are transmitted to the
content processing end 510. When the content processing end 510 receives
the storage devices, in step S616, the content processing end 510
respectively stores different identification data to the storage devices.
When the identification data is stored to a storage device, the
preloading production for the digital content is completed. It is
understood that, in the preloading procedure in the preloading end 520,
the storage devices may be checked to determine whether or not the
preloading procedure for the respective storage device is successful. If
the preloading procedure for a storage device is not successful, the
preloading procedure for the storage device can be repeated or the
storage device can be scrapped.

[0035]After the storage devices having the identification data, the
digital content and/or the application module are produced, the content
processing end 510 can respectively deliver the storage devices to the
supplier ends 532 and 534 via the material flows 562 and 564. User ends
542 and 544 can respectively obtain the storage devices from the supplier
ends 532 and 534, thereby respectively generating the material flows 572
and 574 between the user ends 542 and 544 and the supplier ends 532 and
534. It is noted that, in some embodiments, the user ends must pay for
the storage device, thereby respectively generating money flows 573 and
575 between the user ends 542 and 544 and the supplier ends 532 and 534.
When the money flows 573 and 575 are generated, in some embodiments, the
money flows 563 and 565 are also respectively generated between the
content processing end 510 and the supplier ends 532 and 534 for related
account management processes. After the user ends 542 and 544
respectively obtain the storage devices, connections to the content
processing end 510 are respectively made using the corresponding
electronic devices via information flows 582 and 584, for a subsequent
authentication process for identification data of the storage devices,
and decryption process for digital contents in the storage devices. It is
understood that, the authentication process for identification data and
the decryption process for digital contents are similar to the embodiment
in FIG. 4, and is omitted here. When the authentication process for
identification data and the decryption process for digital contents are
completed, the user ends can respectively access or use the digital
contents in the corresponding electronic devices.

[0036]Therefore, the digital content management systems and methods first
encrypt the digital contents, and then perform the subsequent preloading
procedure for mass production of the digital contents, thereby reducing
the risk of the digital contents to be stolen or manipulated during the
preloading procedure. Additionally, since the manufacture does not need
to store activation keys (identification data) to the storage devices,
the efficiency of the preloading procedure is improved.

[0037]Digital content management methods, or certain aspects or portions
thereof, may take the form of a program code (i.e., executable
instructions) embodied in tangible media, such as products flash card,
USB disk, or any other machine-readable storage medium, wherein, when the
program code is loaded into and executed by a machine, such as a
computer, the machine thereby becomes an apparatus for practicing the
methods.

[0038]While the invention has been described by way of example and in
terms of preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention
is not limited thereto. Those who are skilled in this technology can
still make various alterations and modifications without departing from
the scope and spirit of this invention. Therefore, the scope of the
present invention shall be defined and protected by the following claims
and their equivalents.